My recent trip in Naga marks my 2019 last hurrah! 🙌 A year-end escapade to Bicol Region is totally unexpected; but among its provinces, Naga deserves to be visited. 👍
In this quaint “Pilgrim City” sits Our Lady of Peñafrancia whom they lovingly call “Ina”. 💙 Despite sleepiness 😴 caused by the 11-hour bus ride, my senses are wide awake and I went straight to the basilica where “Ina” resides. 🙏 Bigay pugay muna sa Nanay. 🌷 Ehehe! Also located within the metro are parishes in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, and St. John the Evangelist Cathedral. ⛪ True to being a “Pilgrim City”, these beautiful churches are situated blocks away from one another to the point that you can complete many sets of Visita Iglesia in just a few hours. 😁
Moreover, I learned that it’s part of Nagueño tradition to tour people around their different pilgrim sites. Special shoutout to my ever-supportive mentee Tina and her super game Tatay, I also had the chance to marvel at churches located outside the metro. 👌 Fighting my tendencies to be Google-dependent, I’m listing the names of the places we went to the best of my memory: 💡 Magarao, Bombon, Quipayo, Calabanga, Hinulid. 📍 Hope I got them all completely correct! 💯
Ofc, I cannot put aside my adventurous side! 😁 As if it’s always a requirement, I made sure that a trek is part of my itinerary. 🏃 Ehehe! In as much as I want to climb Mt. Isarog, my closest encounter with this active volcano is limited to its foot (or maybe toes). Ahaha! 😂 I initially wanted to go to Malabsay Falls, but it’s closed on that day. ❌ Thanks to the natives living in that area, they were quick to give an alternative: Baby Falls. 💦 Tina and I braved into the unknown and passed by typhoon-caused obstacles, until we finally made it to our destination. 💪 The falls is small and it’s friendly for the not-so-tall; so we didn’t hesitate to take a dip because it’s not so deep. 🏊 Yup, it’s a really cool experience! 😎
P.S. From water drips to side trips, I’m absolutely grateful to the Moneda’s who welcomed me into their home 🏡 and for an amazing roam! 🚗 Happy to meet the #fambam! 😊 Sa uulitin po! 👋
9A/9 #top9towrapmy29th #bestof2019 #pilgrimage #naturetrip #naga #bicol #philippines
